Comparative Constitutional Law (Advanced) module (LW42032)

Explores the different ways constitutions operate and how different constitutions address similar problems

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Credits

Module code

LW42032

In this module, major topical issues in constitutional law will be analysed comparatively. You will be introduced to various methodologies used in comparative constitutional law enquiry.

You will also look at the uses and limits of comparative constitutional enquiry as a field of law. Various classifications of constitutions will be explored.

After this, you will move on to focusing on topical themes in the field.

The module focuses on:

how constitutions change
crises of constitutions and constitutionalism
the constitutional protection of rights
and the uses of artificial intelligence in constitutional law

Specific seminar topics include:

constitution-making and constitutional amendment
constitutional unamendability
populism,
constitutional change
challenges to judicial independence
constitutional crises
the constitutional protection of rights
states of emergency (with a focus on the constitutional responses to the Covid-19 pandemic)
economic and social rights.
A range of jurisdictions are covered from six continents and students are encouraged to focus on their own choice of jurisdiction(s) throughout their study of the module.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

analyse major topical issues in constitutional law from a comparative (domestic and international) perspective

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

analyse, evaluate, and synthesise some of the most important issues in contemporary comparative constitutional law
enhance and expand on the ideas presented in your first and second years of study, especially in the public law modules
research new areas of law